Gomez: Habitat for Humanity starts on La Habra homes

In celebration of its 25th year helping families realize the dream of home ownership, it was a privilege to join my City Council colleagues and representatives from Habitat for Humanity of Orange County for the recent groundbreaking ceremony for seven new homes that will be built here in town.

The homes are being constructed at the southwest corner of La Habra Boulevard and McPherson Street, right across from Washington Middle School.

For those of you who may not be familiar with Habitat for Humanity, it is a wonderful organization with the mission to assist hard-working families in becoming home owners. Over the years, it has helped countless thousands of families achieve that very goal, including several hundred here in Orange County.

Congratulations to Habitat for Humanity on the beginning of this wonderful project and we extend a hearty welcome to the newest members of the La Habra family.

Citizen’s Academy connects public with police

Interested in learning more about the La Habra Police Department? Consider registering for the next session of the Citizens’ Police Academy.

The purpose of the Citizens' Academy is to create a closer working relationship between the Police Department and those who live and/or work in our community. Students learn from department personnel about a variety of police operations, including Patrol, Traffic, SWAT, K-9s, Investigations, Records, Communications, Animal Control and other auxiliary services.

The six-week course begins Oct. 1. All academy sessions are held at the La Habra Community Center during the evening hours. Students are required to register and space is limited. Contact the La Habra Police Department at 562-905-9750 for more information.

Exhibit remembering Holocaust coming to town

The Orange County Public Library will host the Simon Wiesenthal’s “The Courage to Remember” traveling exhibit about the Holocaust from Sept. 3 to 22 at the La Habra Library.

The “Courage to Remember” features photographs and information about the horrors of the Holocaust, remembering the more than 6million Jews killed by Nazi Germany during the World War II. Sponsored by the Foundation for California, a nonprofit educational corporation, the exhibit has toured the world for 20 years and has been seen by millions of people.

An opening ceremony and ribbon cutting for the exhibit will take place 4 p.m. Sept. 3. For more information about “The Courage to Remember,” visit couragetoremember.com.

West Nile Virus back for year

Earlier this month, the Orange County Vector Control District, the public agency that protects the community from threats to public health caused by insects and vermin, issued a notice confirming the first case this year of West Nile Virus in Orange County.

West Nile Virus, which has been present in Orange County since 2003, is spread to humans via mosquito bite. While most people exposed to the virus develop no symptoms or only mild flu-like symptoms, in some cases West Nile Virus may develop into something more serious, resulting in neuroinvasive diseases like encephalitis or meningitis.

The best defense is to eliminate standing water, the prime breeding ground for mosquitoes. Other methods to limit the possibility of being bitten by a mosquito include wearing pants and long-sleeve shirts while outside during the morning and evening hours when mosquitoes are most active. For more information about West Nile Virus or other vectors dangerous to public health, contact the Vector Control District at 714-971-2421 or visit ocvcd.org.

Development progresses in town

I am pleased to report that the demolition of the carwash and other buildings located along the northern side of Whittier Boulevard between Beach Boulevard and Hacienda Road is nearing completion. The site is owned by two property owners, both of whom have submitted separate parcel maps for property subdivision.

Plans for the future development of the properties are being prepared, and like me, I’m sure all La Habrans look forward to the continuing improvement of Whittier Boulevard.

Likewise, new development along La Habra Boulevard is coming in the form of a 7-Eleven. The La Fuente Market, at 100 W. La Habra Blvd. at Euclid Street, will be converted into a 7-Eleven.

As the economy continues to improve and the city moves toward the completion of the General Plan update, it is possible that other private developments will be proposed. For more information about these and other developments around town, contact the Community Development Department at 562-905-9724.

Final analog stations going digital

As part of its efforts started a few years ago to better manage bandwidth by providing programming in a digital format only, Time Warner Cable has informed the community that several channels that had been provided in the older analog format will be switched to digital on or about Oct. 8.

Once the switch occurs, programming in the older analog format will not be available. The large majority of TWC customers have already participated in prior digital conversions and the change will not impact their daily viewing. However, those relatively few remaining customers who do not already subscribe to digital services will need digital equipment in order to continue to view these channels. Upon request, the company will provide the necessary digital equipment to customers, though they should contact TWC by Oct. 8. The equipment will be made available free of charge until Dec. 31, 2014, at which time it will cost 99cents a month. Information: 888-TWCable (888-892-2253).

Police Department news

During July, the La Habra Police Department took the following actions related to the city’s graffiti abatement program:

Made six graffiti-related arrests

Completed eight crime reports

Referred 34 cases to city’s Graffiti Abatement Team

In addition, 221 reports were made to the TAGRS automated system used by the Graffiti Abatement Team. Report graffiti in La Habra by using the city’s graffiti hotline at 562-905-9723.

On Aug. 11, six La Habra Police Explorers graduated from the Orange County Explorer Academy. Explorers were instructed in 18 public safety topics, including crime report writing, criminal street gangs, criminal law and ethics. In addition to the lectures/classroom time, they were also pushed to their physical limits, engaging in a strenuous regimen of daily physical training. Congratulations to each of our Explorers.

James Gomez is a councilman and former mayor for the city of La Habra. Reach him at 714-738-5926.